India vs New Zealand 2016 1st Test: 5 key player battles
With less than 24 hours to go for the 1st Test between India and New Zealand to commence, the Men in Blue will be eager to kick off their long and grueling home season in a spanking fashion. India is scheduled to play as many as 13 Tests in the next 6 months which will provide Virat Kohli & Co the much-needed opportunity to retain their numero uno status in Test cricket. India had climbed to the top of the ladder in the Test rankings following their victory in the 3rd Test against West Indies but surrendered their No.1 status to Pakistan after the last Test against West Indies was washed out due to rain. Kohli has been a hyperactive captain in his short stint so far and has led India to series wins in Sri Lanka and West Indies besides drubbing the mighty South Africans 3-0 at home.
On the other hand, Kane Williamson led New Zealand will be coming off a series loss against South Africa. They would look to come prepared to counter the Indian spinners who has been lethal in spin friendly tracks. Kane Williamson has been in prolific form in the last year or so and recently became the youngest batsman in Test history to score centuries against all Test playing nations. The squad consists of three spinners in their ranks who will try to compete against their Indian counterparts on equal terms.
Here we bring you five key player battles that might decide the outcome of the opening Test
#1 Virat Kohli vs Trent Boult
The battle between Kohli and Boult is bound to be a mouth-watering contest as both cricketers are at the peak of their career. While Kohli has been a prolific run scorer for India across all formats, Boult has been an important member of the New Zealand side and with Southee, the duo has been a formidable bowling pair and has undone many strong batting line-ups.
In their recent series against West Indies Kohli scored his maiden Test double century and would look to continue his golden run. He has set very high standards in the Indian dressing room and the margin for error while bowling to him is a bare minimum. Boult will be mindful of the fact that Kohli had a horrid time in England playing away from his body and would like to persist with the nagging line and length outside the off stump to unsettle the modern legend.